Russia March 2018: Lada and Mitsubishi shine in market up 13.9%

The Kia Rio remains the best-selling nameplate in Russia.

* See the Top 54 All-brands and Top 25 models by clicking on the title *

Another excellent result for the Russian market in March with sales up 13.9% to 157.279 units, marking 13 consecutive months of year-on-year gains and, more impressively, a 10th double-digit gain in a row. Year-to-date volumes are up a splendid 21.7% to 392.920. Homegrown leader Lada outpaces the market for the second month running at +22% to 19.5% share vs. +29% and 20.1% so far in 2018. Stunningly, 8 of the Top 10 carmakers advance faster than the market in March, led by Mitsubishi up a gargantuan 206%, Skoda (+34%), Kia (+31%), Ford (+25%), Renault (+25%), Volkswagen (+24%) and Hyundai (+17%). Only Toyota (-8%) and more worryingly Nissan (-21%) miss the mark.

Mitsubishi is up 3-fold on March 2017.

Large surges are a lot rarer below in the ranking, with Honda (+206%), Mini (+76%), recent Uz-Daewoo replacement Ravon (+71%) and Subaru (+39%) standing out in the Top 35. Among smaller volume-brands, the Chinese once again reap most of the top performing spots with FAW (+409%), Zotye (+153%), Foton (+106%), Dongfeng (+78%) and Brilliance (+47%) making great progress off very low bases. There are some bitter disappointments also: among them HTM/Hawtai (-90%), Genesis (-48%), Cadillac (-43%), Geely (-39%), UAZ (-38%), Datsun (-36%), Fiat (-28%) and Volvo (-22%).

Dongfeng sales are up 78% year-on-year in Russia in March.

The Kia Rio manages to sign an 8th win in the past 12 months thanks to sales up 17% to 6.2% share, containing the assaults of the Lada Vesta surging 52% to 5.8% but incapable of reproducing its January victory for now. Below, the Lada Granta (+7%) and Hyundai Solaris (+3%) lose share whereas the Hyundai Creta gains 27% to round up the Top 5. The Lada Largus surprises with a spectacular 90% year-on-year gain at #8 above the Renault Kaptur (+22%), Logan (+21%) and Sandero (+27%) all beating the market. The Hyundai Tucson (+88%), Mitsubishi Outlander (+77%) and VW Tiguan (+52%) lead the SUV charge.

Previous post: Russia Full Year 2017: Now with Top 365 All-models ranking

Previous month: Russia February 2018: Kia Rio reclaims top spot in market up 24.7%

One year ago: Russia March 2017: Largest year-on-year gain in 4.5 years at +9%

Full March 2018 Top 54 All-brands and Top 25 models below.